Good Morning Britain star ‘stark raving mad’ for quitting job to run in General Election-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Good Morning Britain regular Iain Dale said farewell to LBC radio station after 14 years as he announced plans to run in the General Election.

The 61-year-old has been forced to quit his long-term job to stand as a Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells as broadcasting rules forbid General Election candidates from presenting radio shows.

The broadcaster announced his decision live on air yesterday evening, revealing that his two ambitions in life had always been to be a radio presenter and an MP.

Dale said there were ‘no guarantees’ he will be selected as a candidate ‘let alone elected’, but ‘I know that I would forever kick myself if I didn’t at least have a go’ ahead of the July 4 election.

‘Even if you don’t share my politics, I hope, at least, that is something you can respect,’ he told listeners.

Dale later discussed the announcement on his For The Many Podcast and admitted that ‘a lot of people’ thought he was ‘stark raving mad’ for ‘giving up the best job I’ve ever had.’

Iain Dale hopes to run as a Tory MP in the General Election (Picture: S Meddle/ITV/REX)

‘The reason I’m doing it is because it is an itch I need to scratch, even at the ripe old age of 61.

‘I just thought, whatever the result of this election, and we all know what the polls say, I think I could play a bit of a role in not just helping the Conservative Party through some fairly traumatic and difficult times, but actually rebuilding it.

‘Sensible people, which I like to think I am one, need to come to the aid of the party in times of difficulty.’

Dale previously but unsuccessfully stood as a Tory MP for North Norfolk nine years ago. On his podcast, he said it would be ‘massive blow’ if he was selected but did not win this year, but he picked himself back up after failing in 2005.

Dale previously but unsuccessfully ran for Tory MP in North Norfolk (Picture: S Meddle/ITV/REX)

During his time at LBC, Dale presented four general election night shows, two US presidential election shows and the Scottish and Brexit referendum night shows, as well as the station’s evening programme.

LBC said it will announce its evening programming plans for the election period in due course.

Tom Cheal, LBC’s senior managing editor, said: ‘Iain Dale is a world-class broadcaster, and has been hugely important in helping to make LBC the political powerhouse it is today.

‘I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ve heard of Iain on LBC. We understand his decision and thank him for his massive contribution to the station.’

Blue drummer Dave is no stranger to politics (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Gogglebox star Josh is standing for Labour in Hertfordshire (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images )

Dale is not the only famous face hoping for General Election success.

Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has been selected as the Labour candidate standing for the Mid Sussex seat. He was previously Labour county councillor in Norfolk from 2017 until 2021.

Gogglebox star Josh Tapper is also standing for Labour in Hertfordshire – and is running against Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden.

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